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Man killed teen robber with own gun, police say

A 60-year-old man shot and killed an armed robber with the robber's own gun Friday night, Milwaukee police said.

Investigators said 17-year-old Rico Blackmer was attempting to rob the man near 23rd Street and Keefe Avenue just before midnight Friday.

The man said he was helping someone move into a nearby home when he was approached by the teen who pointed a gun and tried to rob him.

Police said the man fought off the robber and shot him in self defense.

The teen's aunt, Cormill Bonds, said she understood the man's actions in shooting her nephew.

"We have no ill feelings towards that person. That person was defending himself," she said.

Bonds said Blackmer was not perfect but he was still a loving and loved member of the family.

"I know people do bad things, but for it to end like this, it's even more horrible not knowing why he did it. We provided everything he needed, we just don't know why he would do something like this," she said.

Friends and family put together a memorial to remember him where he was killed.

Blackmer's friend, Angel, said his death could still serve a purpose.

"What happened to him, I hope all these young people out here who try to rob people will wake up and just understand it's not good to be out here robbing nobody because just like how he end up," Angel said.

The man who shot the teen was not expected to face criminal charges in the incident.

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